What kind of improvement is possible from step I if you did well on step I?

[HopefulDoc2007]

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I've been told by several residents that "people don't try as hard on step 2 as step 1 so if you study hard you can really make a huge improvement over step 1". Most are talking about going from ~210 to ~240. My question is if you did well on step 1 (250+) does this same rule apply (even to a lesser extent)? I have also heard that people tend to take step 2 late if they did well on step 1 in case they don't do as well. I can't figure out how that makes sense (assuming equal hard work/prep) if step 2 is supposed to be easier to "beat the curve on". Anyone have experience/advice? Thanks!

 

[Golding]

I'm sure there's some degree of diminishing returns, because a lot of people who go from 210 -> 240 are updating the way they study. Will you get the same 30 point increase from a 250? Most likely not. But then again, improving isn't really your goal since you did quite well the first time. Your goal is probably more along the lines of a repeat performance.

And from what I've noticed, drastic movement on the Step 2 is more often the exception than it is the rule. I think the people who actually drop points are people who take that as granted, and neglect to study as much for the Step 2 as they did with Step 1.

 

[Docsammd]

Plus if did very well on step 1 >240 u may want to wait and take step 2CK until after you apply because that score enough will score u a good number of interviews. The problem with taking step 2 Ck and dropping a ton or god forbid failing it will hurt u

 

[HopefulDoc2007]

I had heard that from a bunch of people but I have recently heard that competitive programs may want to have your scores before they rank people. Is this just a rumor?

 

[stapleit]

I had heard that from a bunch of people but I have recently heard that competitive programs may want to have your scores before they rank people. Is this just a rumor?

No, it's true. Go to the program website and see what your program of choice says. Generally, I've noticed 1/2 want ck before ranking, 1/2 just want to see a passing score by july.

 

[HopefulDoc2007]

No, it's true. Go to the program website and see what your program of choice says. Generally, I've noticed 1/2 want ck before ranking, 1/2 just want to see a passing score by july.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[rahulb]

step1 247
step2 252

freaked out over step1, barely studied for step2

very chill test

 

[werd]

some programs do want a step 2 score, so don't totally discount the test if you have a strong step 1. and yeah, you can improve even if you already did well. probably a little luck involved, but i went from 264 to 271. (then i dropped a lot on step 3 but that's a different story...)

 

[Depakote]

I've been told by several residents that "people don't try as hard on step 2 as step 1 so if you study hard you can really make a huge improvement over step 1". Most are talking about going from ~210 to ~240. My question is if you did well on step 1 (250+) does this same rule apply (even to a lesser extent)? I have also heard that people tend to take step 2 late if they did well on step 1 in case they don't do as well. I can't figure out how that makes sense (assuming equal hard work/prep) if step 2 is supposed to be easier to "beat the curve on". Anyone have experience/advice? Thanks!

If you're above 250, you're already above the 90th percentile.

I thought Step 2 was an easier test and I did do much better on it than I did on Step 1 (which wasn't a bad score), but to do dramatically better than a 250 is going to require you to pull yourself into the 95-99th percentile range.

It's doable, but you'll need to be nigh but perfect on test day.

 

[km11]

If you're above 250, you're already above the 90th percentile.

I thought Step 2 was an easier test and I did do much better on it than I did on Step 1 (which wasn't a bad score), but to do dramatically better than a 250 is going to require you to pull yourself into the 95-99th percentile range.

It's doable, but you'll need to be nigh but perfect on test day.

Agreed. And I would guess you'd already be hitting diminishing returns at that point. With a 250+ Step I, a 260+ step II probably wont make a huge difference in your overall competitiveness. From everyone I've talked to who were applying to noncompetitive fields, those who did well on Step I took it easy on Step II while those who did so-so on Step I used Step II as a way to show improvement. Maybe if you're applying to ROAD, you'd want baller scores on both...